Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates in front of fans during the second half of Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, April 16, 2017. The Warriors won 121-109. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) less

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates in front of fans during the second half of Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers in Oakland, ... more

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates during the second half of Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, April 16, 2017. The Warriors won 121-109. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) less

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates during the second half of Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, April 16, ... more

Golden State Warriors' fans enjoy 121-109 win over Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of NBA Western Conference 1st Round Playoffs at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, April 16, 2017.

Golden State Warriors' fans enjoy 121-109 win over Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of NBA Western Conference 1st Round Playoffs at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, April 16, 2017.

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Kevin Durant celebrate during the second half of Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, April 16, 2017. The Warriors won 121-109. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) less

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Kevin Durant celebrate during the second half of Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers in Oakland, ... more

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

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OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 16: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors blocks the shot of Noah Vonleh #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the third quarter during Game One of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 16, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) less

OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 16: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors blocks the shot of Noah Vonleh #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the third quarter during Game One of the first round of the 2017 NBA ... more

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

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OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 16: JaVale McGee #1 of the Golden State Warriors blocks the shot of Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the third quarter during Game One of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 16, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) less

OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 16: JaVale McGee #1 of the Golden State Warriors blocks the shot of Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the third quarter during Game One of the first round of the 2017 NBA ... more

This raises an interesting question: Do Warriors fans, numbed by three seasons of relentless winning, now need exhortation?

Oracle ultimately became loud — very loud — in the fourth quarter of Golden State’s 121-109 victory over Portland. Green, in his postgame news conference, made a point of praising the crowd for helping the Warriors weather a first-half barrage from Portland guards CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard.

“I think it started with our crowd, the entire game, kept us in it,” Green said. “Those guys were hitting shots that usually drain the life out of the building. Our crowd brought it from beginning to end, so we were able to feed off that until we were able to get our ground.”

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Still, it’s fair to wonder whether Warriors fans have become complacent given the team’s historic run — 207 regular-season wins the past three years, an NBA title in 2015 and a Finals appearance last year. Chronicle columnist Bruce Jenkins raised the question over the weekend, linking the phenomenon with the near-inevitability of Warriors wins at home.

Team officials are aware of this possibility. They piped in noise-making messages earlier than usual during Sunday’s game, encouraging the capacity crowd of 19,596 with calls for “Dee-fense!”

At least one longtime season-ticket holder acknowledged the raucous atmosphere abated slightly this season. Tom Culligan has been attending Warriors games since 1962, from the Civic Auditorium and the Cow Palace to Oracle. He sits at midcourt, in the fourth row.

“I think the excitement from two years ago was enormous,” Culligan said. “Just by human nature, it’s dwindled a little bit. I have noticed that. They’ve become a little complacent, because the Warriors are so good.

“With the playoffs, they’ll ratchet it up again. I was there (Sunday), and it was loud.”

There were isolated outbursts of rollicking noise in the first half, such as when Curry made his first three-pointer and when JaVale McGee blocked Lillard’s attempted dunk. But it was difficult for Warriors fans to sustain, mostly because their team couldn’t gain separation from the Blazers.

Nearly every time the Warriors scored, McCollum or Lillard answered.

Finally, midway through the third quarter, Green’s block of a Noah Vonleh dunk attempt energized the spectators. They erupted again when Green met Lillard at the rim and blocked another attempted dunk, the signature plays of Sunday’s win.

Maybe this is the subtext for the Warriors as they prepare for Game 2 on Wednesday night. Their crowd seems sparked by spirited defense even more than by majestic three-point shots.

Green, the team’s defensive anchor, noticed.

“You get a play like that and the entire crowd goes nuts,” he said of rejecting Lillard at the rim. “One of the worst feelings is when you do this and no one stands up. But they were there every time for us. It gives us energy to do it more.”